Piracy in the Indian Ocean has been a threat to international shipping since the second phase of the Somali Civil War in the early 21st century.[1] Since 2005, many international organizations have expressed concern over the rise in acts of piracy.[2][3] Piracy impeded the delivery of shipments and increased shipping expenses, costing an estimated $6.6 to $6.9 billion a year in global trade according to Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP).[4] According to the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), a veritable industry of profiteers also arose around the piracy. Insurance companies significantly increased their profits from the pirate attacks as insurance companies hiked rate premiums in response.[5]

Combined Task Force 150, a multinational coalition task force, took on the role of fighting the piracy by establishing a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) within the Gulf of Aden.[6] By September 2012, the heyday of piracy in the Indian Ocean was reportedly over.[7] According to the International Maritime Bureau, pirate attacks had by October 2012 dropped to a six-year low, with only one ship attacked in the third quarter compared to thirty-six during the same period in 2011.[8] By December 2013, the US Office of Naval Intelligence reported that only 9 vessels had been attacked during the year by the pirates, with zero successful hijackings.[9]Control Risks attributed this 90% decline in pirate activity from the corresponding period in 2012 to the adoption of best management practices by vessel owners and crews, armed private security onboard ships, a significant naval presence, and the development of onshore security forces.[10]

The MV Feisty Gas, a liquefied petroleum gas tanker, was seized by Somali pirates. A Hong Kong-based company that owns the vessel reportedly paid $315,000 to a representative of the Somali pirates in Mombasa, Kenya, according to a recent UN report.[11]

The MV Semlow, carrying UN food supplies for tsunami victims, was seized by pirates en route from Mombasa, Kenya to Bosasso, Somalia. They held the ship for 100 days until a Somali business man convinced them to leave without payment.[12]

The MV Panagia, a 22b,046 GRT bulk carrier with coal from South Africa to Turkey, was seized by Somali pirates on 90 nautical miles (170 km) off the east coast. A Ukrainian-based company that owns the vessel reportedly paid $700,000 to a representative of the Somali pirates in Mombasa, Kenya.[citation needed]

Pirates hijacked the India-registered MV Safina al-Birsarat along with its crew of 16 Indians. On January 22, the USS Winston S. Churchill, an Arleigh Burke-classdestroyer, intercepted the vessel. After warning shots were fired, the pirates surrendered and all ten onboard were taken into custody. The ten were transported to Mombasa, Kenya where they were sentenced to seven years in prison by a court.[15][16][17]

Somali pirates with automatic weapons captured the ship, carrying 6 Kenyans and 6 Sri Lankans.[18] On February 27, members of the Somali coast guard attempted to take back the ship but failed, and 2 coast guardsmen were killed.

The Taiwanese fishing vessel was hijacked on May 28, 2007. The surviving crew of 10 Chinese, two Taiwanese and two Filipino crew members was released on November 5 after spending more than six months in captivity. One Chinese crew member was killed by the pirates on May 28 because the ship's owners failed to meet their ransom demands.[19]

Two Tanzanian registered ships belong to Korea's Daechang Fishing were seized about 210 nautical miles (about 389 km) off the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Their 25 crew members (including 10 Chinese, four South Koreans, three Vietnamese, four Indonesians and four Indians) were released six months later.[20]

Pirates attacked the North Korean cargo the MV Dai Hong Dan and captured its bridge, while the crew managed to retain control of the steering and engineering spaces. On October 30, the crew regained control of their ship, killing one pirate and capturing six. Three sailors were injured in the fight, and received medical assistance from US Navy Corpman from the Arleigh Burke-classdestroyer, the USS James E. Williams.[30]